Ban Styrofoam! *** Have major food chains switch to a healthier, renewable resource.

Styrofoam is extremely bad for not only our personal health but the health of our planet as a whole.

It is 2017 and we are supposed to be one of the worlds most progressive countries, it is absurd that we are still using such a harmful material on such a massive scale.

For the love of life, god, and future generations to come, please take a moment to read what I have prepared and consider the detrimental effects of a simple everyday action such as drinking from a styrofoam cup when multiplied by billions of consumers.

IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT

"Americans throw away an estimated 25 billion styrofoam cups a year (about 82 per person). The EPA stated that of the 3 million tons of polystyrene (the main chemical used to make styrofoam) produced in America each year, 2.3 ends up in landfills. Leaving us to wonder how much ends up in our waterways.

The technology to recycle styrofoam does exist but the cost of the process is far too high to make it worth it for collectors. As of 2001, the American Chemistry Council stated that one percent of polystyrene actually gets recycled in the U.S.

-(Canada.com/life/forever/styrofoam+dilemma/1522634/story)

Styrofoam is NON - BIODEGRADABLE, this material appears to last forever taking hundreds of years to break down. When the particles do eventually break down it is predicted that many of the toxic chemicals used to make styrofoam will be released into our environment. Another factor is that styrofoam is so light, it, therefore floats meaning that over time a great deal of polystyrene has accumulated along coasts and waterways, causing all sorts of negative effects including various birds and marine life mistaking it as food, who knows the adverse effects this ripple in the food chain could have.

The manufacturing process alone is terrible for our land air and water, to start, Styrofoam is made with petroleum which is a non-sustainable resource and creates heavy pollution in its own production process. The "National Bureau of Standards Center for Fire Research" noted 57 chemical byproducts released during the creation of styrofoam, not only polluting the air but also producing loads of solid and liquid waste that need disposal. Styrofoam is also manufactured using HFC's (HydroFlourideCarbons) which have been proven to have negative impacts on the atmosphere and O-zone layer. they are believed to be a significant contribution to global warming.

Styrofoam is made from "Polystyrene" a petroleum based plastic, Styrene the fundamental ingredient used to make polystyrene and has been classified as a possible human carcinogen by the EPA (environmental protection agency).

Olga Naidenko, PhD, a senior scientist at the Environmental Working Group (www.ewg.org) stated - " As you drink your steaming coffee or spoon your soup out of a styrofoam cup you also take in doses of chemicals that leach from it, trace amounts of styrene as well as other chemical additives in polystyrene migrate into your food or beverage. This effect increases significantly with hot foods and beverages". She states "this is definitely a problem due to the fact that polystyrene is so commonly used as disposable packaging for hot food and beverages and has been for years!"

-(Bottomlineinc.com/styrofoam-really-is-bad-for-your-health)

Imagine the effects of these small yet constant doses of toxins that the average American is taking in every day and we wonder why cancer is so common?!

Not only is it unhealthy for the people using the product but workers in the manufacturing process take a much worse hit, exposure to chemicals such as styrene (which happens to be the main building block for many other materials such as plastics, rubbers, and resins) have been shown to cause acute health effects including irritation of the skin, eyes, and upper respiratory tract, as well as gastrointestinal effects. Not to mention, chronic exposure affects the central nervous system showing symptoms such as depression, headache, fatigue, weakness, and can cause minor effects on kidney function and blood. The US Department of Labor, Occupational Safety & Health Administration UNSUCCESSFULLY (a federal court overturned the ruling in 1992) tried to limit the amount of worker exposure to styrene to 50 parts per million (ppm). According to the Styrene Information and Research Center (SIRC), they still encourage their member companies to comply with the 50 ppm exposure limit.

WHAT WE CAN DO

There are many cheap and renewable resources that could easily replace this deadly material, including, but not limited to, Post-consumer recycled paper, Hemp, Bamboo and Corn plastics, just to name a few.

- Dear Common Citizens,

BoyCott Styrofoam!

I know it's easier said than done but with a little bit of effort we can each make a big difference with our everyday choices, your dollar is your vote and when we support these corporations and establishments that use styrofoam we are directly enabling its production. PLEASE, remember to let your favorite restaurant or coffee shop know why you have stopped coming by! The more they see it directly affecting their business the more inclined they will be to make the switch to a recyclable and eco-friendly to-go container option.

A very clever way to avoid using styrofoam and also enjoy eating out is to bring your own re-usable to-go go container out with you. Not only does this prevent your waste but it also raises awareness on the issue, as people see something out of the ordinary and proceed to give you a weird look, be sure to explain yourself, who knows? You might make a positive difference!

- Dear Politicians, C.E.O.s, and people in positions of power,

I hate to say it because I am sure you are already well aware and I truly hope that you would live up to the following statement but the current state of our planet shows me otherwise.

It is in YOUR hands, more so than the average working class citizen, more so than the millions of newborn children, and more so than I, to do WHATEVER it is in YOUR POWER to make a change. The FATE of the entire human race, generations to come, and the planet as a whole lay within the choices you make and what you choose to do with your time and money. PLEASE focus on what is important.

money, there are things far more important, and if you don't believe me, I'm sure you will soon enough.

RESPONSIBILITY - the state or fact of having a duty to deal with something or of having control over someone.

Thank you for your time, and please consider signing this petition and doing anything in your personal power to help raise awareness for this cause and issue.

With immense love and sincerity, Leonard Musselle III

The Boycott Styrofoam movement, as well as myself, can be reached at -

please contact us for more information on how to get involved, or any ways that we can be more involved, we are looking to establish connections in different communities in order to spread awareness and truly make an effect.